I looked at my steadily-accumulating handspun yarn and thought, I should knit that into something. But what? I don't know how many yards I have of any of it. A little bird whispered in my ear, "You've got to get creative!"

I started by pulling out my old copy of Homespun, Handknit, edited by Linda Ligon. I love this book. I had it practically memorized back in the late 80's. Today I rediscovered it and it was love all over again.

It was published in 1987. Back in the 80's and early 90's, there was no internet to speak of. I got my first AOL account back in 1992, and the World Wide Web was unveiled about a year after that. I had forgotten how much the world -- my world -- depended on books back then. There were hats of all types, mittens and gloves, simple knitting and fancy. There were a few socks; socks hadn't really caught on yet as the Monster of Knitting that they are now. Looking back at that book, I was amazed at the complexity of knitting and the basic, easy knitting that was represented so effortlessly.

There's a new version, called All New Homespun Handknit, edited by Amy Clarke Moore. It's got lots of pretty pictures and some very cool designers. It's on my wish list, and I'd like to have it, but it can never match my old love.

Anyhow, I didn't figure out what to do with my handspun yarn yet. I'm still thinking. I'd love to hear what your favorite thing to do with handspun yarn is!

Comments

When skeining off the yarn from the bobbin with the skeinwinder, I count the yards so I know how much I have, then stick a note with the yardage in the skein. I usually make hats, sometimes mittens or fingerless gloves. Have made sweaters which I never wear, have woven it on triangle loom into shawl, or knitted shawls with it. Next I need to make a vest or two, I find that I only have 1 hand spun vest. I have the yarn spun, it is just a matter of designing it...thats the road block!